Manchester United Signs 18-Year-Old Angelo Henriquez

Manchester United have completed the signing of Chilean forward Angelo Henriquez. Henriquez, 18, has joined from Universidad de Chile for an undisclosed fee to become United's fifth summer buy.

The striker has scored 15 goals in 27 games for Universidad but is expected to feature largely for the reserve and Under-21 teams at Old Trafford in the short term.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Angelo has made a tremendous impact on the game in his short career so far. His pace is a great asset and he reads the game really well for someone of such a young age.

"We have a proud record of developing young talent and Angelo fits the profile of a United player skilful, attacking and someone who plays the game with real flair."

Ferguson said he had been tracking Henriquez for four years and made his mind up after watching the South American play in the Milk Cup this summer.

"We scouted him when he was 14 years old and just monitored him," he told Inside United. "When he turned 18, we knew we could take him; it's the first time we can sign them in this country, at 18, and so we were very fortunate the Chile Under-20s were over here.

"They were in tournaments at the Milk Cup [in Northern Ireland] and over in Holland. We watched all the games and everyone said: 'You need to bring him in'. He's very quick and a good finisher. He's strong, with great shoulders on him for a boy of 18. So hopefully he'll do fine."

Henriquez told his new club's website: "I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. Manchester United is a great team and has a great manager. To be able to be part of that is a huge honour and I can't wait to get started. I hope I can be part of many successful years with United."

He joins Shinji Kagawa, Nick Powell, Robin van Persie and Alexander Buttner among the newcomers at Old Trafford and takes the No. 21 shirt, worn last season by Rafael da Silva.